Question the Answer is a jewelry collection turned small business in 2014. I am the owner, designer and maker behind Question the Answer and I am so excited to take this next step in the evolution of my business.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FORM:
I graduated from the University of Memphis with a BFA in Studio Arts in 2010. My thesis addressed materialism and the idea of inanimate desire behind every frivolous purchase within the world of fashion. I chose to depict this idea by painting a luxuriously dressed life-size skeleton with bright colors and sculptural features.
About a year later in 2011, I decided to downsize the image into a wooden pendant, beginning my path into jewelry making. For about two years I perfected my design, changing the height and width of the skull and eventually changing the material from scrap wood into maple. Finally in late 2013, I had committed to the most refined version of my original design. It was then that I realized, I wanted to depict this form in metal.
![]()
PRODUCING WORK IN METAL:
Since my degree and trade had mostly been in painting in two dimensions, I decided to take some continuing education classes in small metals and began to learn to solder and forge. I took three of the classes locally throughout 2013 and 2014, and eventually I had learned most of the basic techniques and started building forms to enhance my hand painted sugar skulls.
![]()
\
Throughout this process, my designs began to wander away from the sugar skull and my own style as an artist became more polished. I started creating minimal forms that I adored and eventually I produced enough work for two separate collections.
![]()
![]()
I continued to refine my work while still making the sugar skull pendants my niche customers loved.
In March 2015, I traveled to the CreativeSide Jewelry Academy in Austin, TX in an effort to increase my education in small metals and more specifically, jewelry. There I learned several new settings, including the flush setting, channel setting and a couple of different prong settings. With these new techniques and with the knowledge of my new medium, I have returned to that pivoting and decisive moment. I will cast my sugar skull design in various semiprecious metals and set a flush gemstone into the "minds eye" of the design.
![]()
WHAT I NEED & WHAT YOU GET:
If I am able to meet my entire goal I will be able to acquire all of these resources to quicken my production process and ensure a quality product. New tools & equipment are critical to the growth of Question the Answer. Since I already purchased a Neycraft SpinCaster & a Neycraft Kiln from an estate sale back in October 2014, my costs will be significantly lower.
-
$370 for a GRS BenchMate Stone-Setting Holder & Kit. This makes it much easier for me to hold the piece and set a stone without harming the work.
- $500 to build a vent above my kiln. The kiln burns out the wax from the investment mold and to keep my studio ventilated, I'll need to build a vent-a-hood above the kiln.
-
$500 for a larger tumbler machine. This machine cleans the pieces before they are ready to ship out, currently I have a VERY small one, these pieces require much more space.
- $545 for a wax injection machine. This machine allows me to make one mold from rubber and inject wax into it, allowing for a quicker production process and a quality cast every time.
-
$170 for a slide & lock adjustment bracket. This contraption is built for the BenchMate Stone-Setting Holder and will allow it to be moved to the correct angle and height on my jewelers bench so that I may set stones comfortably and without harming the piece.
- $170 for a BenchMate Vise. This vise tilts & rotates on two axes to hold pieces perfectly angled for stone-setting & will solve many holding problems. Remember, jewelry is tiny and hard to hold stable to set a stone into.
- $225 for a steam cleaning machine. This machine will clean the pieces effectively so that every piece arrives perfect right to your doorstep.
-
$1600 for a plating system. This will allow my work to have the highest in craftsmanship by coating the finished work in yellow gold or rose gold. This way none of the plating is compromised while sanding and finishing the piece.
- $300 for plating solution. As you might have guessed, even the solutions to plate metals are expensive. I mean it's basically liquid gold.
-
$520 for a large cast iron bench anvil & base. Believe it or not, I've been working without one for quite some time.
- $200 for Other small production costs for casting like investment & a scale.
-
$600 for tools such as a cutting tool, a mandrel & flat stock professional pliers. These tools will help my production process immensely & will allow me to work comfortably so that I may produce more pieces in less time.
- $2000 for initial inventory material costs. This means the actual metals, the chains they are hung on and findings for the actual pieces.
- $750 for product packaging materials including my printed boxes, hang tags for the pieces & shipping supplies.
- $500 for other startup expenses including unforeseen construction costs.
Of course if the unthinkable happens and I'm not able to meet my entire goal, I will reconsider my most necessary needs & assess my options. This may mean changing the quality of metals I will cast in, to lower my material costs. This action would only be made in the most extreme conditions as I am very committed to the design and the product details.
![]()
![]()
PERKS YO: WHAT YOU GET FOR HELPING!!!
Here are a Few of the AWESOME & Exclusive Indiegogo PERKS:
LIMITED EDITION Hand Written Thank You Card - $15.00
Your contribution means everything to me and I would like to personally thank you. This hand-written thank you will be on a limited edition card with the image of the rendered sugar skull and of course will be written and signed by me!
EARLY BIRD: Question the Answer Stack Ring Set (3 Rings) - $50.00
Available in sterling silver, yellow gold fill or rose gold fill- these stackers fit seamlessly into your everyday wardrobe & for a limited time will be discounted just for you & just in time for the HOLIDAYS! Available in sizes 3-10 (size 3 & 4 are made for midi-rings)
EARLY BIRD: Question the Answer Stack Ring WORKSHOP - $100.00
This is the VERY FIRST- EXCLUSIVE ring workshop where I will teach you how to make your very own set of 3 stack rings in Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold Fill or Rose Gold Fill. Students will arrive at my studio and work for three hours with me to produce their very own stack ring set!!!! FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS OF MEMPHIS, TN ONLY
![]()
STERLING SILVER STACK BANGLE - $88.00
This perk is for a sterling silver bangle in an 8 gauge size (Approximately 1/8" thick). This is a classic piece from the Eternal Curiosity Collection that is perfect to wear alone or stacked, with a t-shirt or a dress. Because everyone is a different size, I offer my bangles in a standard size and also a petite size.
Standard: 2 7/8" in diameter
Petite: 2 1/2" in diameter
![]()
THE SKULLS: VARIOUS PRICES & METALS
When you contribute these amounts you will receive one of the first editions of the the Sugar Skull Pendants on a 28" chain with a semiprecious gemstone delivered right to your doorstep. Be the first to have it and invest now- your friends will be so jealous when they see you in this one of a kind piece made by hand in Memphis, TN.
Chain: 28" Size of Pendant: 1.5" x 1.75"
QUESTION THE ANSWER Brass Sugar Skull Pendant - $175.00
QUESTION THE ANSWER Yellow Gold Plated Sugar Skull Pendant - $275.00
QUESTION THE ANSWER Rose Gold Plated Sugar Skull Pendant - $275.00
QUESTION THE ANSWER Sterling Silver Sugar Skull Pendant - $375.00
THE IMPACT & TIMELINE:
This campaign is so important to my business's growth and to the evolution of this specific design. Your contribution means I will be able to complete a path I began five years ago, and will ultimately expand the product line Question the Answer is able to produce.
Question the Answer is able to be a business because of the amazing support of my customers! Ya'll built this, now let's grow it together!
As a contributor, you're not only strengthening my work, you're expanding my reach and ability to make quality & unique collections. If you love handmade & supporting small businesses this piece will represent those values every time you wear it!
If you're curious how I will be spending my time until you receive your piece, here's a timeline...
Mid-October 2015: FUNDS RECEIVED
November 2015: INSTALL EQUIPMENT & HOLIDAY RUSH
December 2015: HOLIDAY PERKS SHIPPED & PRODUCT SAMPLING
January 2016: PRODUCT SAMPLING
February - Mid April 2016: PRODUCTION of PIECES
End of April 2016: PRODUCTS RECEIVED
![]()
RISKS & CHALLENGES:
Because of crowdfunding, I have this creative opportunity without enduring the limits of a financial risk. This allows me to present a product to my established community and introduce my business to a larger audience while growing my brand.
Craftsmanship is extremely valuable to Question the Answer. Because of this, I would like to have as much time as possible to perfect my pendants and ensure their quality. These pendants will involve techniques that are brand new to me so they may require more time for testing than originally promised, which potentially could postpone the delivery date of your piece. If this occurs, you will be notified and guaranteed that when your handmade piece arrives it will certainly be worth the wait.
I assure you that I am able to overcome the hurdles related to this challenge. I have already changed mediums and built this business while doing so; I am confident that I will work through these potential problems to find the best solution.
![]()
PRESS YA'LL:
Interested in seeing what kind of press Question the Answer has already received? CLICK HERE!